Selo Shoe Store by MNMA Studio

Photographer: André Klotz

The 100 sq m retail restoration project for Selo brand of handmade shoes inspired MNMA studio to create a kind of brief escapism atmosphere.

The studio's core process of developing ideas from outside to inside and the pursuit of a fluid circulation led to the final layout and the sidewalk alignment as a continuum, so to offer seamless accessibility for all.

There was a desire to create a visually clear façade as an attitude of contrast for the chaotic city of São Paulo. The choice of cement slates and frameless glass reflects the urbanity but in order to achieve some lightness it was pigmented to detach from its surroundings.

During the process of curation of materials and along the building development, as some natural shattering occurred on the floor because of expansion of materials, it was decided to adopt a sort of Kintsugi technique of filling the cracks with a special golden mixture so to honor the fact.

The toilet sink is also a handmade process of "curving" a limestone and applying flames to it, so to create a very particular rough texture. The occasional furniture is composed of 50's original examples.

Inside, the atrium was remodelled to deliver a rounded skylight with a clear view of the sky, not only for illumination, but also for a playful contact with nature, weather, the passage of time and to have some human scale perspective, reminding us that we share the same sky. It is inspired and celebrates some works of artist James Turrell.

Design Team:

MNMA Studio: André Pepato and Mariana Schmidt

Photographer: André Klotz